George H. Steffens was a well-known architect in the city, a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a young man of practical experience. He was born in Cleveland and was employed in the office of Edward Schwabe, whom he succeeded in business in 1892. He worked for several different firms including Steffens & Searles (from 1896 to 1897), Steffens, Searles & Hirsh (from 1897 to 1901), Steffens & Steffens (from 1912 to 1914), J. H. Newson (from 1915 to 1917), and Steffens & Steffens (from 1915 until 1923).